more somber than the song itself. That’s the song Imogen lamented last night.
And now I could pinpoint exactly who it had been sung for. So, what the fuck was he suggesting? It had been less than two hours since he’d finally told her he believed her...trusted her. Are you saying you think—
No, he interrupted. But I have a new theory about her role in this whole thing.
Immediately seeing where he was going with this, I mentally said, Someone is setting her up.
Exactly.
Imogen
I read over Killian’s shoulder while he hummed. The song was familiar, but I couldn’t place it.
He was studying the tournament book, which described every competition and every challenge Tuatha had ever created to determine its ruler. It was an ancient book, going all the way back to the first kings and queens.
It was also a pain to read. The oldest parts were written in a language few of us spoke anymore. Killian didn’t seem to have any trouble, but I imagined his father made sure he spoke every variation of Fair Folk tongue that ever existed.
What are you looking for? I didn’t dare speak aloud.
Hints. He slowly turned the page and ran his fingers over the words. There have been ninety-nine kings and queens of Tuatha. Whoever wins this challenge will become the hundredth.
Boots sounded over the stone floor, and I glanced away from the book toward the sound. Ronan and Flynn approached us. There was something on their faces that concerned me, and paired with the way they studied Killian, I found myself examining the room for a threat. Is everything okay?
“Killian.” Ronan didn’t answer me, instead focusing on his brother.
Gripping the sides of the stone lectern where the book sat, he shook his head. “Not yet.” He lifted his head and peered at each of us. His eyes were glassy and a little dazed. “There’s too much. I can’t be finished.”
My stomach rolled, and I wished I hadn’t eaten so much. I’m not feeling well. It was a tricky thing to say, but I didn’t like the way he looked. He seemed to be watching us through a fog, and his knuckles were white as he held the stone, almost as if it were keeping him upright.
Ro. We needed to get Killian away from here. It had been only minutes of training, and it would look suspicious, but—
“We have a meeting in five minutes,” Ronan said aloud. “I forgot to tell you this morning.”
Killian gritted his teeth so hard, I heard them grind together. “I thought I told you no meetings before the tournament.” Shifting, he stood with one hand on the lectern and placed the other on the hilt of his sword. Was he threatening Ronan?
Killian. I’m going to be sick. I was outright lying now but didn’t know what else to do.
He cut his gaze toward me and sighed. “Let’s go.”
He walked in front of us. Ronan and Flynn went next, and I followed behind. Flynn hesitated but thought better of it. It would look odd for him to wait for the guard who was supposed to watch his back.
The other competitors only gave us passing glances. That was good. They’d overheard us or assumed that the prince had a better place to practice than with a room full of other people hoping to take his crown.
Culann stood, arms crossed, head bent to listen to Morgan Tauroc. Her voice was low, and the tones carried across the room. I didn’t know very much about the woman, other than that her sponsorship was coveted by contenders. Her powers were a well-guarded secret, but from the heady scent of magic pouring off of her, they were substantial.
As we reached the door, I happened to glance over my shoulder. She—and her crow—stared after me. The woman’s gaze was narrowed, her eyebrows drawn low over her eyes.
I didn’t like that. I had the sense that she saw right through my glamour, right to the heart of me.
So, I did what any smart girl would do—I high-tailed it after the guys while repeating over and over, don’t be suspicious.
Once we were out of sight of everyone, and the door had closed behind us, Killian slowed. His shoulders slumped, and he waited for Ronan to walk next to him.
“You okay?” his brother asked.
Killian shrugged. The fact that he didn’t put up a front scared me more than a lie would have.
“Right.” Ronan stood straighter, stepping a little in front of Killian. “We’ll go to your rooms, do our training there.”